Manalapan-Englishtown Schools to Upgrade District Security

The Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School District Board of Education has decided to update the district’s security procedures, as recommended by Superintendent John J. Marciante Jr.

A multi-year plan to upgrade the security of all of the district buildings has been created and the Board of Education decided Tuesday to begin effectuating these changes immediately, according to a press release. The board will not disclose detailed information about the security procedures for safety reasons, the release indicated. The plan will be identified within the district’s operating budget.

In addition, the board agreed to establish a new position called School Safety and Security Director. The person will be in charge of overseeing district security and protocol and will also be the liaison to the Manalapan and Englishtown Police Departments, according to the release. 

The district began making immediate upgrades in security protocol following the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in December 2012. The district’s security supervisor, Sonitrol, reviewed district security in January 2013, lock down magnets were installed in every classroom, and the board approved a $60,000 upgrade to the system, which was completed in the spring. The Manalapan Police Department also increased presence around the schools during the day and at high-traffic times. 

In addition, a new online entry system has been successfully piloted at Taylor Mills School and Lafayette Mills School. This entry system will be implemented district-wide in September, the release said. 

“The Board is confident that with the addition of the School Safety and Security Director to our staff, the upgrades to our security system, and the implementation of the multi-year security plan, the security and safety of the children of Manalapan and Englishtown will remain our highest priority,” the release concluded.